Combined radiator shell and mud-guard



Oct. '11, 1932. iRELAND 1,882,620

COMBINED RADIATOR SHELL AND MUD GUARD Original Filed April 25. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwuentov I 1&6 Jam 21d Oct. 11, 1932. G, E IRELAND 1,832,620

COMBINED RADIATOR SHELL AND MUD GUARD Original Filed April 25, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. IRELAND, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CITY MACHINE & TOOL COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OF OHIO COMBINED RADIATOR SHELL AND MUD-GUARD Application filed April 25, 1930, Serial My invention has for its object to provide a radiator shell for automobiles which is so constructed that it may be readily die-shaped to form and used in conjunction with a mudguard, or apron, depending from the lower part of the radiator and covering the forward ends of the springs of the automobile.

The invention may be contained in structures that vary in their details and, to illustrate a practical application of the invention, I have selected a structure containing the invention as an example of the various structures that embody the invention, and shall describe it hereinafter. The structure selected is shown in the accompanying drawlng.

Fig. 1 illustrates a view of the apron when partially formed. Fig. 2 is a view of a section taken on the plane of the line 22 indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view of the apron when it has been cut to permit bending from the plane of the face of the radiator to lanes that will cover the springs and frame.

ig. 4 is a View of a section taken on the plane of the line 4-4: indicated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view of a decorative trim, when partially formed. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the trim shown in Fig. 5 when completely formed. Fig. 7 illustrates the means for connecting the trim to the apron. Fig. 8 illustrates the relation between the shell and the apron. Fig. 9 is a view of a section taken on the plane of the line 9-9 indicated in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the combined radiator shell and splash or mud-guard forming the subject matter hereof. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the radiator shell before assembly with the mud-guard.

In the present construction the radiator shell 1 and splash apron 2 are shaped to agree with each other and to form in combination a unitary design for the front of an automobile wherein there is afforded the appearance of a radiator of much greater size than is actually embodied in the vehicle. This is e'fli'ected by extendingjnto the area of the splash or mud-guard a continuation of the radiator configuration or design bridging, or interconnecting the lower extremities of the radiator shell with which the extension reg- No. 447,381. Renewed May 11, 1931.

having a projecting rounded front area 12 and a reentrant inner flange 11. The particular shape of the shell may be varied according to different designs. The lower ends of the sides or legs of the arch-shaped shell 1 may be secured in spaced relation with each other by a transverse bar 18 which sup ports the radiator core within the inverted U- shaped shell 1. The bar 18 is also of substantially U shape, and is arranged in reverse relation to the shell 1 with its extremities offset inwardly of the shell as at 19. The radiator core terminates at the level of the shell 1 where it is met. by the apron, or splash guard, which has the appearance of a panel overlying the lower portion of the radiator core within the boundary of the shell as defined by the false continuation'thereof, or trim portion. The apron limits theradiator opening to the size of the core, and less than the, area indicated by the false extension of the radiator shell.

The apron 2 is die pressed to form a struc-.

25, in the central area. The top margin of the apron 2 above the design 25 is depressed as indicated at 42 in Fig. 9 substantially into the plane of the reentrant or depressed margln 11 of the Ushaped shell 1 as indicated. at 43 in F ig. 9. Preferably, a part of the apron 2 is formed to continue the design of the forward portion of the radiator shell across the lowerend of the shell by being projected beyond the panel portion 25 of the apron into registry with the head or face 12 of the U-shaped shell 1. Such projected trim portion may be formed integral with the apron 2 but in the form of construction shown 'in the drawing, the part is formed of a separate member 27 which enables the said part to receive the same decorative surface that the shell 1 is formed of. Thus, the said member may be plated to produce the same characteristicisurface on the said member that is found on the shell 1. The member may be formed from a strip 26 and when trimmed may have the appearance substantially as that shown in Fig. 6. As finally formed, the member 27 is provided-with cars 28 that may be bent rearwardly and the structure 24 may be provided with cars 29 that may be cut from the body of the sheet metal structure 24 and forced rearwardly at points that register with the ears 28 of the member 27.

The cars 28 maybe inserted through the holes 30 that are formed in striking up the cars 29, and the ears 28 and 29 may be spot Welded together to securely connect the member 27 to the structure 24. The structure 24 may be cut to remove a portion 35 of the flange 36 and the structure may then be bent to locate the end portions 38 substantially at right angles to the plane of the central portion of the structure. This will locate the end portions 38 at points so as to cover the ends of the forward springs and frame of the automobile. The portions of the flange 36 will thus be located in position to extend over the tops of the forward springs and frame of .the automobile. The apron 2 may be pierced, as at 40, to provide openings for the forward spring bolts and also at 41 for the insertion of the starting crank.

I have illustrated and described the best form of my invention now known to me, and those skilled in the art will understand that many changes may be made in the structure disclosed, without departing from the spirit of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims, and that certain features of my invention may be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

I claim:

1. In a combined radiator shell and apron structure, a substantially U-shaped shell member having a depressed portion, and an apron having a depressed portion corresponding to the depressed portion of the shell, the said depressed portions located in the same plane, a trim mem er simulating a continuance of the surface ofthe shell extending across the lower end of the shell and in forwardly projecting relation with a part of the apron and substantially in registry with the face of the U- shaped shell member.

2. In a combined radiator shell and apron structure, a substantially U-shaped shell member having a depressed portion and an apron having a similar depressed portion corresponding to the depressed portion of the shell, the said depressed portions located in the same plane, the apron having a trim member forming a continuance of the surface of the shell and extending across the lower end of the shell and forming a part'of' the apron, the said trim member having ears, the apron having ears that register with the ears of the trim member and struck-up from the apron and extending rearwardly, the ears of the trim member extending through the apron and secured to the ears of the apron for securing the trim member to the apron.

3. The combination with a radiator shell of an apron associated therewith and extending below the termination of the shell, and a trim member, simulating a continuance of theshell, registering therewith and attached to and carried by the apron.

4. The combination with a radiator and an apron structure associated therewith including a formation upon the apron projecting in relief therefrom in simulation of a continuance of the radiator shell design with the sides of which the relief formation registers in transversely interconnecting relation.

5. The combination with a radiator shell, of a panel located below the radiator receiving opening in said shell, and a false trim member extending in front offand below the top margin of the panel in simulation of a continuance of the radiator shell.

6. The combination with a radiator shell having a radiator receiving opening of a false trim member formed independently of the shell extending in dependent relation below the radiator opening and registering with the side portions ofthe radiator shell in simulation of a continuance of the shell, and a panel disposed in a plane behind said trim member and closing the area between the dependent trim member and the radiator opening of the shell.

7. A radiator shell, a substantially U- shaped convex trim formation stamped from sheet metal in simulation of a continuing portion of the radiator shell and a support for the trim located below the shell, upon which the U-shaped trim is positioned in registry with the side portions of the radiator shell and in transverse interconnecting relation therewith.

8. The combination with an arch shaped radiator shell, of a false trim portion contoured to substantially agree with the con tour of the radiator shell simulating a continuance of the radiator shell and registering with the side portions thereof in trans,- verse interconnecting relation and a splash panel underlying the false trim portion.

9. The combination with an arch shaped. radiator shell, of a false trim portion contoured to substantially agree with the exposed contour of the radiator shell and extending in transverse curvilinear formation below the terminals of the arch shaped shell with which the trim portion registers, and a panel section disposed behind the trim portion and filling the area intermediate the trim member and the level of the radiator shell terminals.

10. The combination with a radiator shell and a splash apron associated therewith below the level of the shell of a false continuation of the radiator shell simulating a shell of larger proportion extending in overlapping relation with the apron.

11. An arch shaped radiator shell including top and side portions and a false continuation of the shell forming a dependent bight shaped bottom formation interconnecting the sides of the arch shaped shell and contoured to substantially agree therewith and means for supporting the continuation 01fl the shell independently of the radiator s ell.

12. An arch shaped radiator shell including side and top portions, a splash panel associated therewith and extending approximately straight across the shell substantially level with the lower terminals of the side portions, and a trim portion projecting be- 20 yond the plane of the panel and below the top margin thereof simulating a continuance of the radiator shell and registering in transverse interconnecting relation with the side portions of the shell. 5 13. The combination with a radiator shell having an opening to expose a radiator, of a false extension of the radiator shellextending in spaced relation below the limit of the radiator opening and registering with the sides of the shell at each side of the opening and a panel behind the shell extension extending both above and below the extension and substantially defining the radiator opening.

14. The combination with a radiator shell having an opening to expose a radiator, a U-shaped molding simulating an extension of the radiator shell in spaced relation with V the radiator opening and having its ends extending into proximate relation with the ends of the shell at opposite sides of the opening and a panel disposed back. of the molding closing the area within the bight of said molding below the radiator and defining the bottom margin of the radiator opening.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed I my name to this specification. 5o GEORGE E. IRELAND. 

